Fender Squier Series MIM Jazz Bass?

lfrz93 · #1 02-26-2011, 06:47 PM

So I got on of these basses from my local craigslist at a decent price that was advertised as a Fender Jazz bass with no mention of the Squier Series tag.

I've been trying to do some research and found a few fun facts. apparently these are actual Fender basses? I don't know, it sounds good and all, but the whole Squier Series tag kind of kills it in my opinion, and its going to be hell for me to sell it just because of that Squier Series tag...

Any more concrete info not from speculation out there?
I just need more info on it!

BigOldHarry · #2 02-26-2011, 06:53 PM

Fender IS Squier. Same company.

Squier is the name they used to used for their inexpensive, offshored instruments. Now that Fender makes most of its stuff in Mexico, it's hard to tell what's what anymore - -

But the instrument you have is, if memory serves, from back in the late '80s (someone correct me here) - They kept dorking with the branding until they finally just started calling their "intro" stuff "Squier" and their pro stuff "Fender".

Adding to the confusion is that they now have several lines of both Fenders and Squiers, which, to a non-expert, look the same. Some of the better Squiers are thought to be better than the lower end Fenders (Yes, that makes no sense, but Fender seems to have a marketing plan somewhere... somehow...)

So, the instrument you bought is *not* a "real" Fender in that it is badged "Squier" - and it was certainly not made in the US. But if you like it, and you didn't pay too much - woo hoo!

lfrz93 · #3 02-26-2011, 06:58 PM

I checked the guitar dater project and it said around 1995-96

According to all I've read here in this forum they were made with American bodies and necks but assembled in Mexico? And supposedly the electronics are Mexican. I'm not a big bass expert, but I've been digging hard to get some info on this, but everything I've found seems to be just speculation.

BigOldHarry · #4 02-26-2011, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfrz93

I checked the guitar dater project and it said around 1995-96

According to all I've read here in this forum they were made with American bodies and necks but assembled in Mexico? And supposedly the electronics are Mexican. I'm not a big bass expert, but I've been digging hard to get some info on this, but everything I've found seems to be just speculation.

that sounds like you have it backward - The work they did in Mex was the labor intensive stuff with paint...

Keep waiting. Someone who really obsesses over this stuff will know. But I think I can tell you with reasonable certainty this this no collector's item or "Rare find" - these were EVERYWHERE and were never very expensive.

lfrz93 · #5 02-26-2011, 07:08 PM

Actually according to what people say these instruments were produced in small quantities... haha this is such a headache!

BigOldHarry · #6 02-26-2011, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lfrz93

Actually according to what people say these instruments were produced in small quantities... haha this is such a headache!

Be patient - this IS a Saturday, and during the week TB is *crawling* with Federistas who will tell you every damn thing about this bass you can imagine.

I suggest you post some pix and the serial number to get best results. Oh - and just because it was made in a fairly small number, the name SQUIER kinda pooches the collector value. It may be a really cool bass, but it will always be a Squier.

lfrz93 · #7 02-26-2011, 07:27 PM

Here are some pics

It looks really nice and plays like a dream, but I'm trying to find some info to properly post it somewhere, I have a Charvel bass that I play 99.99% of the time haha.

tjh · #8 02-26-2011, 07:42 PM

there recently have been several threads on these basses here ... not much that hasn't been discussed and recussed about them ... a quick search should net more than you ever wanted to know ... one of the recents was something like 'Black Logo Fender Basses", ... there were actually two models with the all black logo ... but you will find all that info ... good luck ...

lfrz93 · #9 02-26-2011, 07:43 PM

I searched before but a lot of it seems speculation

ThaLowEndTheory · #10 02-26-2011, 08:43 PM

These were from the 90's. Black label Fender with a small Squier Series on the ball end. Most were made in mexico along side the standard MIM fenders, althought there were some that were MIA. The MIA ones are labeled the same way except they do say MIA. I've only seen strat examples of the MIA ones. I believe they used the import pots though. You could just take off the one piece pg to check. Body is solid wood, may be alder or poplar. They are great basses. Pretty much on par with MIM's. I used to own one and wish I still had it. If you want to sell it, you should have no problems. They are nothing to turn your nose up at.

lowsideonacurve · #11 02-26-2011, 08:48 PM

Here's a link to Squier's history straight from their web site;
http://www.squierguitars.com/news/in...lay_article=99
Looks like you have one made from a transitional period between '85 and '95.

lfrz93 · #12 02-26-2011, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaLowEndTheory

These were from the 90's. Black label Fender with a small Squier Series on the ball end. Most were made in mexico along side the standard MIM fenders, althought there were some that were MIA. The MIA ones are labeled the same way except they do say MIA. I've only seen strat examples of the MIA ones. I believe they used the import pots though. You could just take off the one piece pg to check. Body is solid wood, may be alder or poplar. They are great basses. Pretty much on par with MIM's. I used to own one and wish I still had it. If you want to sell it, you should have no problems. They are nothing to turn your nose up at.

I know its a great bass, I love it. I've actually had it posted in the HC forums but it seems as soon as you mention "Squier", people click "back" in their browsers. It's sad because someone else could be having fun with it... I'm mainly a guitar player, and when I play bass I play my Charvel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowsideonacurve

Here's a link to Squier's history straight from their web site;
http://www.squierguitars.com/news/in...lay_article=99
Looks like you have one made from a transitional period between '85 and '95.

It doesn't specify much on the topic

5string5fingers · #13 02-26-2011, 09:34 PM

Could always pay a few bucks,become a supporting member here and list it where people are ignorant gear snobs...

Just a suggestion.

lfrz93 · #14 02-26-2011, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5string5fingers

Could always pay a few bucks,become a supporting member here and list it where people are ignorant gear snobs...

Just a suggestion.

Hahaha I already thought about that but with my account's balance at $2.32 I can't atm

ThaLowEndTheory · #15 02-26-2011, 09:39 PM

Just clearly identify what it is you are selling. Alot of guys know what these are. In your description tell the story of when they were built and where they were built. If you label it as just your typical made in china Squier, thats what people will think it is.

lfrz93 · #16 02-26-2011, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaLowEndTheory

Just clearly identify what it is you are selling. Alot of guys know what these are. In your description tell the story of when they were built and where they were built. If you label it as just your typical made in china Squier, thats what people will think it is.

Word, thanks.
By any chance though, do you know exactly where the electronics are from? Where does the hardware come from in these basses? Whats the body's wood? Those things are the ones that really complicate it when trying to explain what these basses are

TC.65 · #17 02-26-2011, 09:53 PM

"Vintage-style Squier basses began to appear from Fender Japan in 1982. At first, export-to-Europe models were distinguished by the addition of a small 'Squier Series' logo on the tip of the headstock, but was soon changed to a large 'Squier' that replaced the Fender logo." This is from a book called THE BASS BOOK A COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BASS GUITARS

lfrz93 · #18 02-26-2011, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TC.65

"Vintage-style Squier basses began to appear from Fender Japan in 1982. At first, export-to-Europe models were distinguished by the addition of a small 'Squier Series' logo on the tip of the headstock, but was soon changed to a large 'Squier' that replaced the Fender logo." This is from a book called THE BASS BOOK A COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BASS GUITARS

Interesting

ThaLowEndTheory · #19 02-26-2011, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TC.65

"Vintage-style Squier basses began to appear from Fender Japan in 1982. At first, export-to-Europe models were distinguished by the addition of a small 'Squier Series' logo on the tip of the headstock, but was soon changed to a large 'Squier' that replaced the Fender logo." This is from a book called THE BASS BOOK A COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF BASS GUITARS

There were japanese versions of the jazz bass, but I don't remember them having the one piece pickguard. I don't think they were in the same time frame either. I think they stopped using the black label in the mid 80's in Japan.

I may be wrong, but I doubt it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyySY...eature=related

lfrz93 · #20 02-26-2011, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaLowEndTheory

There were japanese versions of the jazz bass, but I don't remember them having the one piece pickguard. I don't think they were in the same time frame either. I think they stopped using the black label in the mid 80's in Japan.

I may be wrong, but I doubt it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyySY...eature=related

Lol nice